The Adventures of Rose Hood

The postings for the tournaments were posted on the board, and those who didn’t see Jalad in the preliminary round were surprised to see him on the posting.

“I always sign up, though thank goodness I’m not against a powerhouse first round this time. Though, Dallel, why didn’t you sign up.”

Dallel snorted.

“I’m pretty sure that it would be absolutely unfair if I did. People are already upset about the gods despite the restraints. I’ve beaten gods. I’m sure they would complain even more.”

Jalad laughed.

“I guess so.”

The duo, despite no longer being direct coworkers, still remained best friends.

_

The first day of the tourney arrived. I was the first battle, against Duhnheim.

“Remember, Amanda, you may be able to beat him in skills, but he still is the smithing god. He can probably break your sword with a single swing, as he’d be able to find the weak point.”

I nodded.

“I will be careful.”

I entered the ring.

“And this first battle is between two god’s party members. One from a C rank team. Amanda the Swordqueen. She is versing the king of fire, Smithing god Duhnheim. Despite his limiter, he can destroy any weapon without a second thought, so can she stand up to him?”

The crowd cheered for both of us. The dwarves and elves were overwhelmingly cheering for Duhnheim.

“Ready?! START!!!”

Duhnheim charged, and I blocked his first attack. Then began our back and forth.

He struck at my head. I countered to his legs.

He slashed at my stomach. I cut at his head.

Both of us were full of minor injuries, but his endurance was better than mine… or so he thought.

I was a god too, but he didn’t know that, so we just continuously went back and forth.

Eventually, I got frustrated and pushed forward, crushing him. He didn’t even get the chance to break my sword.

_

Amy’s battle was against a regular guy who was crushed easily.

We celebrated with meat and wine, except for Amy, who seemed content to wait until she was 21 to drink. We just got her apple juice.

_

The next day was similar.

Each god passed their rounds, and moved to the next point, except Duhnheim.

Almost everyone knew that the tournament would end with the members of my party.

My second round was against one of Silith’s party members.

“I have been trained by the great, Lord Silith.”

“Please, I trained Celios and Ausar.”

I was simply too far out of his league.

_

Amy also had a fight against Nala.

“Sorry if I win.”

“You won’t, but I won’t be mad.”

“START!!!”

Amy immediately let off a shot that hit Nala in the eye. She quickly followed up with a blade attack.

Nala, who was magic oriented, was beaten easily.

The rest of the fights were similar.

My party reached the semifinals easily, as Ausar finally settled his rivalry with Silith in an epic battle in the quarterfinals.

“Ausar, it’s time to finish this rivalry.”

“Agreed.”

They charged, but this time, Ausar left no openings. He struck and fought on par with his old rival.

Their clash shook the arena despite the restraints. They both gave their all, and everyone could feel their strength. Equals in combat.

Ausar struck for the head, and Silith struck for the stomach.

They kept going at it, continuously getting more and more injuries.

Silith grabbed Ausar’s blade and threw it, but Ausar followed up with a kick to the stomach before grabbing his blade again and reclashing with Silith.

The duo continued to throw slash over slash. Then the finale occurred.

Silith gave his strongest attack. An opening opened up. So small that no one would be able to see it, but Ausar took it and cut Silith in half.

But Ausar sustained massive damage from Silith’s blow as well. He could still stand, however, which made people decide that he was the winner.

_

“Good job Ausar, you won!”

“I did. I won, but it was pyrrhic.”

“So? You still bested the king of gods.”

“Yeah, while our power was restrained. He still probably could beat me if we weren’t.”

Celios smiled.

“Even so, you still won, so celebrate.”

“I guess.”

He smiled and we celebrated the whole night.

We were all ready for the next day.

Amy would fight me.

Ausar would fight Celios.

The winners would fight each other.

“I’m obviously going to win.”

Ausar was motivated again.

“Nah, I think I could win.”

Amy wasn’t any less so.

“Hmph, please, I have the most experience.”

Celios wasn’t giving up.

“Don’t forget who taught you.”

I wasn’t going to fall behind.

_

The next day came, and the kingdom gathered. Jalad, who had lost to Ausar, was cheering both of us on.

“Alright people, it’s been a very interesting tournament. With gods being bested, and humans showing their worth, we have seen such amazing battles that I wouldn’t be surprised if this tournament is remembered for the rest of eternity.”

The people cheered.

“With all that we’ve seen, you might ask, what could we get from watching two humans battle, well these humans have defeated gods. Now that they are in the finale of the tournament, it is time for the semifinals to begin.”

“Amy, I’ll win this.”

“ARE YOU READY!!!”

“Nah, I think I can best you.”

“FIGHT!!!”

Amy let off an immediate shot, but I dodged and blocked her follow-up attack. She came very far from the scared girl who shook while shooting at me.

We fought back and forth.

I was winning, but Kala wanted Amy to win.

‘Friend of mine, take my blessing and gain strength. Form in power and might and evolve.’

Amy began to glow. She met the requirements and evolved.

I leapt back in shock. I knew Kala did it, but I was still unaware until that instant that humans could evolve.

She didn’t change appearance, but a regal sense permeated the air. The gods looked in shock as she held her bow, which was reinforced with mana. Then Amy shot.